‘Pride in Bloom’ was inspired in part by some words I shared at an artist talk celebrating my first Pride-themed mural in 2022. At that talk, I shared my response to inflammatory and transphobic comments that were received by Canmore Pride leading up to their festival that year. During that conversation, I said, “I understand there are a lot of seeds being watered now that used to be denied light and life. To some people it’s scary and we look like weeds...” “I know that because that is how I used to feel about myself.” “But we aren’t an invasive species. We’ve always been here. Through connecting with my community and learning to love myself I’ve realized that the flowers we are so lucky to see blooming in our time want nothing but to add to the garden of life.”
With this mural, I want to celebrate the courage and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at a time when divisive politics are threatening to take hold of our province. Thorough depictions of native Albertan wildflowers in the kaleidoscopic colours of the pride progress flag I hope to remind people that queer folks have always, and will always have a home here.